The DC creative panels kicked off with Flashpoint
August 31st will see the release of Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert’s final issue of the Flashpoint mini-series. The same day will also feature the first title in DC’s line wide relaunch, as Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s new Justice League #1 arrives.
It was revealed at the panel that Flashpoint #5 will serve as a bridge between the alternate reality mini-series and The New 52.
Eddie Berganza (editor of Flashpoint and DC entertainment executive editor) said, “When Flashpoint started, we said ‘everything you know will change in a flash’. Look through Flashpoint as well as the various mini-series and you start to get a hint at what change means with DC comics – The New 52. And with Flashpoint #5, you will clearly see how it all comes about.”
He also stated that “August 31st is just the beginning.”
Next up for DC was the first of their “New 52″ panels
The panel started by addressing the issue of The New 52, with Dan Didio saying “The words I heard in the beginning were scared, worried and nervous.” He went on to attempt to allay fears that some fans had, talking about diversity in both the comics and their creative teams.
The floor was then opened to the creators to talk about their respective titles.
Dan Jurgens said that Justice League International is “a team of international members… with a constantly changing membership.”
On Wonder Woman, artist Cliff Chiang said that the series would “hit the ground running.” He also added ”We don’t need to know what Wonder Woman’s origin is again.”
Freddie Williams spoke of Captain Atom, explaining how he would be “rendered in grey wash” making him distinct from the rest of his world.
Scott Lobdell spoke about Teen Titans, promising new features for both Red Robin and Wonder Girl.
On Green Arrow, J.T. Krul said he would be “amping up” Green Arrow’s power set, while also announcing Q-Corp, Oliver Queen’s new business.
Paul Cornell talked Stormwatch, explaining how they look down on “strange amateurs in capes.” While also adding that a comic where Stormwatch will battle the moon is “the favourite line [he's] ever written in comics.”
Paul Levitz rounded things off, saying that his vision of The Legion’s future changes every time he starts fresh.
DC – The Bat panel
Batman is one of the areas of the DC universe that will remain almost completely intact, due to its huge success. There were a number of creators talking about their respective titles s well as Group Editor Mike Marts and Editor Rachel Gluckstern.
After working on Detective, Snyder will be taking over on the main Batman title, saying, “It’s about [Bruce] learning the history of Gotham and the enemies there that have been lurking for hundreds of years.”
Tomasi’s Batman and Robin is said to be a fast paced book about “kicking ass”.
Tony Daniel has swapped from Batman to Detective.
Batwing is the first character from Batman Inc to have his own series. Judd Winick said “I’ve been given a chance to create an all-new Batman, and it’s so exciting.” He also revealed the major new villain he has created for the series, Machete.
With Bruce back in the cape and cowl, Dick has returned to Nightwing, to which series writer Higgin’s said “Dick Grayson is at a point right now where he’s had more exposure than he’s ever had… and he’s taking back on his own purpose and identity.” Higgin’s also added that “kinetic energy is something we really want to embrace” with regards to Dick’s acrobatic past.
Winick is also writing the new Catwoman series, which Rachel Gluckstern called the most original, sexy takes on the character. Winick added “This is a dirty, dirty book and you’re going to enjoy it.”
There are also two new female Bat titles. With Gail Simone taking on a Barbara Gordon led Batgirl and J H Williams handling Batwoman. Fans were reassured that Batwoman would stay monthly, despite the slow start the project had. Simone spoke of her book dealing with a young woman just out of college, trying to find her place in the world.
Red Hood and The Outlaws looks to be a fun book, while also dealing with damaged characters.
David Finch will also be returning to The Dark Knight writing duties in September, while Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham will have a second volume of Batman Inc at the beginning of next year.
More from DC and The New 52
The first 8 pages from Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s Justice League #1 have been released (minus the text) and it does look very pretty.
Jim Lee has said how he wanted the team to look like they went together visually, while also wanting to tell new and interesting stories in new ways.
DC has now had it’s Superman panel
Action Comics was up first, with Morrison confirming that “This is Superman 5 years before the current continuity.” The underwear (or lack of) situation was then dealt with “People go crazy when they think you’re going to change everything, but this is about how… and why he got [his costume].” Morrison also said “This Superman is young and brash and more take charge” adding that he will be fighting for the common man. Morrison also spoke of both Steel and Legion’s involvement in his Action title, while also speaking briefly about Lex Luthor. “He’s not a mad scientist” but an up and coming science whiz and businessman who works with the government.
The main Superman title. written and drawn by George Perez takes place in the present day, but with a Clark Kent a bit different to what people may expect. He is a lonlier character, trying to find his place, especially since Lois Lane has a new partner.
Superboy was next, with Scott Lobdell explaining how “Connor has been kidnapped… and reverse engineered by this group called N.O.W.H.E.R.E.” He also added that Superboy was “pretty much the smae character” but “rather than retell his origin, we took it from another level of explaining his powers.”
Mike Johnson (co-writer of Supergirl) focused on the importance of mystery to the series. Explaining how Supergirl has no memory of who she is, or even who Superman is. “What we really want to drive home is feeling like we’re with her every step of the way and that we’re seeing everything as she’s seeing it.”
Some Green Lantern news has arrived
If you have read Green Lantern #67, then you will be well aware of the fact that Sinestro is out of the yellow and back in the green and here’s what Johns had to say about the man himself. “[The new Green Lantern #] really delves into this character that’s been with us since ‘Rebirth’.” It was also mntioned how Sinestro will go up against his former Sinestro Corps members, as well as venturing to other corps, suchas the Indigo Tribe.
Hal Jordan wasn’t left out completely and this is what Johns had to say on the matter “Don’t count anyone out of Green Lantern [just] because they don’t have a ring.”
Green Lantern New Guardians al so managed to garner some attention. This title will be the one to explore the full colour spectrum, as well as Kyle Rayner. It has also been announeced that the cover characters are not the only ones featured and that Larfleeze would be involved.
DC Dark and The Edge
This area of the new DCU seems the most exciting to me and there is plenty of new art and information to share.
Scott Snyder first, on his new Swamp Thing series, [Swamp Thing is] one of my two favourite characters” and the series will be about “a man fighting monsters” including some of his own, as well as “a man running from his destiny”. And on Swamp Thing’s potential adversaries Snyder had this to say, “We’re going to introduce the villain Swamp Thing was born to fight.”
Jeff Lemire spoke about both of his titles, Animal Man and Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE. Firstly, he described Animal Man as “a h0rror book… not a superhero book.”
And on Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE, “[Frankenstein] is a person made up of many people. I want to find out who all these people are.” he also described the character’s dynamic as “The soul of a noble poet inside an unstoppable killing machine.”
Joshua Hale Fialkov was also on hand to talk about I Vampire, calling it a series about a man who becomes a vampire but “…stays himself, so he’s ok” but then he turns his wife and she ends up “really evil”.
Promising some vampire based terrorism and “piles and piles of bodies”, Fialkov also added that the series is about “monsters, but it’s about monsters owning their monstrosity”.
Paul Cornell had plenty to say about Demon Knights, his new medieval series. “[There are] seven people… Etrigan, Madame Xanadu, Vandal Savage, The Shining Knight, Horsewoman, Algebar [and] our mysterious strong [female] character”.
They’re all drinking in the same pub before they have to save the day.
On Etrigan’s speech Cornell said, “[he] now ryhmes at the ends of scenes, not throughout, because he speaks like a Shakespearian actor moving out” adding “I don’t want people to suffer for lack of iambic pentameters in a dire situation”.
More from DC’s New 52
Manipul and Buccalloto have spoken about their Flash series, emphasising the focus on speed of both body and brain, story and art. Buccallato also said, “we are not trying to re-invent Barry Allen”.
They also announced a new villain, Mob Rule and stated that Captain Cold will be trying to keep the Rogues together.
Gail Simone is working on both Batgirl and The Fury of Firestorm.
The status of Batgirl (walking again) was one of the more controversial changes made to any DC character, but Simone had a lot of good things to say. “Batgirl is no sidekick, she is the smartest character in Gotham” also adding “she has a degree several years ahead of a normal person”.
The series will also deal with the repercussions of The Killing Joke and how Barbara copes with being able bodied again.
Some new villains, The Brisby Killers, and the involvement of Gordon, Bruce and Dick was also touched upon.
With Firestorm there are also some changes, including a more global approach, with something called Firestorm Protocals. There will also be a new villain called Felix that will show “what happens when nuclear power goes wrong”.
